Thanks to Washington’s top-two primary system, the fourth congressional district will see two Republicans compete in the general election (Clint Didier and Dan Newhouse). A frequent argument for top-two primary systems is the presumed moderating effect of including independent voters in the primary. This result could also encourage candidates in elections like WA-04 to cross over and compete for the other party’s supporters.

Will these candidates try to win Democratic support, along with the district’s 36% Latino population? Maybe, but there are reasons for skepticism.

Neither candidate will want to lose large numbers of their combined 57% primary support, not to mention supporters of other Republican candidates. Republican bona fides are important in the upcoming election, in the House, and future elections.

Didier can run as a celebrity without moderating his positions (he has two more Super Bowl rings than most candidates) or he hope for some kind of crossover appeal from the tea party agenda.